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“Saoirse?” That voice is familiar.
It’s the one that floods my mind whenever I’m in the midst of a storm. It’s the one that I hate to hear when I feel this way about him. I suck in a breath of fresh air, my heart hammering in my chest, and I open my eyes, already knowing who I’ll find.
Dressed in his black suit and his hand stuffed into his pockets, Scotty stands directly in front of me. Big brown eyes watch me with a concerned curiosity.
“What do you want, Scotty?” I ask, trying to sound irritated, though I’m anything but. I haven’t seen him in months. Haven’t spoken to him since he told me he wouldn’t be on my detail anymore. I want to yell at him and shove him out of my way.
But how can I also want to close the distance and hug him? How can I want a piece of that familiarity when he’s so easily taken it from me? My hand instantly grabs at the necklace around my neck, sliding theSpendant back and forth on the chain, and channeling this negative energy into the metal.
He covers his mouth with a fist, coughing. “I was just coming to talk to Hugh about something.”
My chest constricts, the world spinning. “Wonderful.” I turn, glancing at Corbin who is standing near the car. “Good night, Corbin. I’ll see you later.” Turning back to Scotty, I look him up and down, my top lip curled in a snarl. “You can get out of my way now.”
Chapter Six
Ishutthefrontdoor, my heart still pounding from the adrenaline coursing through me. This was a shitty night, and I just want to go to sleep. Grumbling stomach in tow, I head for the fridge to find something to eat.
The front door opens and shuts with a soft click. Footsteps saunter down the hallway and enter the kitchen.
“You can head home, Hugh. I’m turning in for the night,” I say, my head buried in the fridge.
“I think I’ll stay.”
My hand clenches around the door handle at the sound of Scotty’s voice. The bastard thinks he can barge back in here after all these months? Absolutely fucking not. I pull my head out and slam the door.
“Get out of my house,” I snap.
“Nope. Sean and I discussed your security,princess.“ He pauses, letting the way he says princess float in the air. Smooth and endearing, yet an underlying cruelty that makes my thighs clench.
“Oh, yeah? You decided Hugh wasn’t up to snuff, huh? Took you long enough.”
I ignore the gnawing hunger of my stomach, ready to take off the boxing gloves and fight dirty. He has to feel the hatred I have for him, understand what his rejection has done to me.
Where was this part of him when I needed him most? When I stepped off the airplane months ago, asking for him to come back to me?
That man told me he was done with me. Told me Hugh was my guard and ignored my messages. Now he gets one look at me at a funeral and that’s it, he decides he wants to be back in my life? It’s not going to happen that easily.
“Sean and I have decided that your relationship with the governor puts you at a higher risk.” He flattens his black satin tie, then picks at an invisible piece of lint. Then he pulls his line of sight to me, a smirk tugging at the corner of one side of his mouth. “And since I’m more qualified to handle security risks …” He sighs, feigning indifference. “That means you’re stuck with me.”
My teeth grind. “I don’t want you here, Jameson,” I say, brushing past him.
My shoulder checks into his chest and I close my eyes, pushing away the memories that stir when his campfire scent hits my nostrils. His dark chuckle sounds from the kitchen, making me hate him even more. I stomp up the steps, suddenly no longer exhausted. I guess rage does that to me.
I’m determined to get him out of here, intent to get Hugh back, even if he does give me the creeps. My hand twirls around the pendant on my necklace, and for a moment I think about removing it. He doesn’t deserve to know that I still care about him, and having it dangling from my neck is damning as hell.
My head pounds, a hazy daze clouding my vision as I climb the steps to head for my room. I need to get this uncomfortable dress off and climb into a warm bath. My body is cold, and the heat of the water will definitely help get rid of this gross feeling. I kick off my heels and set them next to my walk-in closet to put away later. Unzipping my dress, I drop it to the floor. My clutch is next, then I walk through my bathroom to start the bath.
Once the tub is filled, I slide under the foaming, lavender-scented bubbles. The heat instantly helps soothe the ache in my feet, and I know the tension in my neck is slowly dissipating too. It’s not long before the emotions of the evening start to filter through my brain and push themselves away.
I sigh in relief, resting my head on the back ledge of the tub, and close my eyes. Just for a moment. Just until this buzz wears off. Then I’ll go to sleep and try this whole living thing again tomorrow. The blackness behind my eyelids is a welcoming image, and I embrace it until silence fills my head.
I’m not sure how long it is, but I doze off. And when I come back, it’s to a tightening grip around my throat. My eyes fling open, trying to figure out what’s happening. Void gray eyes meet mine, a hand wrapped around my neck, squeezing the life out of me.
I open my mouth to scream but nothing comes out. I try to suck in air, but that doesn’t work, either. Then, I fight like hell. One of my palms covers the hand that’s choking me, while the other reaches out for the man’s eyes.
But he’s too far away. I can’t reach him, and instead I try to grip the edge of the tub. My hand lands on the razor perched on the shelf, and it slices the tender flesh of my palm.
I force myself to fight through the pain, to push away the fear that I know will cripple my fight response if I let it. There’s no time to be scared. Not when I have to claw my way out of this.
